Family, Friends and Circus Fun

No place like home.

As someone slow travelling around Southeast Asia for the past 18 months, let me tell you, it feels good to have a reason to head back home. Not that I needed much of an excuse—family, friends, and perhaps even a decent meat pie would do—but this time, the reason was extra special: my father’s 92nd birthday. Yes, you read that right, 92 years young! He’s still living on his own, cooking and cleaning for himself, and somehow, he’s just renewed his driver’s license for another year. I’m still scratching my head over how he managed that one, but at least he can take himself down to the beach for a spot of fishing, which he loves.

My dad is the kind of guy who greets you with a bear hug and a joke, and his wicked sense of humour never fails to keep us on our toes.

Now, the big question—what on earth do you get a 92-year-old man for his birthday? Well, if your dad is anything like mine, the answer is simple: tickets to the circus! And not just any circus—Cirque du Soleil’s latest show, “Luzia,” which happened to be in Perth then. The show was mind-blowing, with acrobatics that defied gravity and a storyline that left us all mesmerized. But the real magic was seeing the pure joy on my dad’s face. He hasn’t stopped talking about it since, and I’ve got a sneaky suspicion he’s practising his circus tricks at home thankfully, none involving tightropes or trapeze.

One of the greatest perks of heading back to Australia, aside from celebrating with my dad, is reconnecting with friends. And not just any friends, but the kind who cheer you on when you chase your dreams, eagerly listen to your travel stories, and are always there with a big hug when you’re feeling a bit wobbly. I’m truly blessed to have a handful of such gems in my life. These are the friends who don’t just hear you they truly listen, and they make you feel like a rock star for doing what you love.

But let’s not forget one of the ultimate highlights of returning to Australia: satisfying those long-craved food desires. And believe me, after 18 months of delicious, yet very different, Southeast Asian cuisine, those cravings are real. My dad, bless him, was more than happy to whip up all my favourites. From a succulent roast lamb with perfectly baked pumpkin to the comfort food classic of sausages and mashed potatoes, I savored every bite. And let’s just say I might have overindulged in cheese, something that’s hard to come by in Asia without paying a small fortune.

As much as I loved every moment of being back in Perth, the reality is that living in Australia full-time just isn’t feasible for us anymore. The cost of living has skyrocketed, and after two weeks of winter chills and reminiscing, it was time to head back to Vietnam, where the weather is warm, and living is a bit easier. It was a brisk 3°C (37°F) in Perth when we left—a stark contrast to the tropical climate we’ve become accustomed to.

Living and slow traveling abroad has given me so many incredible experiences, the kind that I hope you all enjoy reading about as much as I love sharing them with you. Every journey, every story, adds a little more colour to life, Living and slow travelling abroad have given me so many opportunities, the type that I truly hope you all enjoy reading as much as I love sharing with you Love, MyLifestyle.